Planning the future gets a little hairy for some. But there are 42 seniors at Italy High School ready to cross the stage and quickly grab that diploma-and rightfully so. However, there are also a few seniors from Italy, Texas that are tripping the light fantastic right now and running into the future as fast as they can, taking a flying leap into it. College grads are incredible.

Do you remember the good ol’ feelings of graduation? In high school or college, those were the days of glory, my friend. You were unbeatable, unstoppable and ready to take on the world. There was nothing that you couldn’t do and nothing you wouldn’t—you were bulletproof.

Equally ready to stand their ground are four young women that hail from Italy High School, in which you can just can consider them another group of “kids” that have crossed the stage recently. There have been many college graduates from Italy High School and the year of 2011 is happy to proclaim it is no different.

Jessica Simon, Megann Lewis, Sarah DeMoss and Courtnei Robinson, all IHS grads, are among the few and proud of the degree that they have so eagerly earned and worked hard to receive. Of course, there are others that graduated from college this semester that are not listed here. These ladies are just a sampling.

These graduates genuinely want to help the Italy kids make an educated decision about college and are prepared to do so. They have a few things to say to the future graduates of IHS. Of course, they also remembered some of the teachers that made an impact.

Courtnei Robinson graduated from the University of North Texas this year with a major in Psychology and minor in Counseling. “UNT has helped develop me into a better student, worker and woman. Thanks to my challenging classes here at UNT, I now am not afraid to face and accomplish academic challenges. Thanks to working here in the Office of Disability Accommodation, I now genuinely appreciate my life, health and strength. This job has also taught me how interact with disabled people in a respectable manner. Although some may have a disability, many times it does not prevent them from having equally fulfilling lives. Lastly, by being apart of various organizations, and by surrounding myself around business-minded people for these four years, I can say that their ways have rubbed off on me in a positive way. I am now business savvy, can hold an intelligent conversation, know how to conduct meetings and have accumulated a sufficient amount of interviewing skills,” Robinson explained.

When asked what her favorite classes were, Courtnei said, “All of my counseling classes and all of my American Sign Language classes.” Robinson went on to explain that you can find avenues to encourage your interests in college, "I was a member of Psi Chi (The International Honor Society in Psychology) serving as the Treasurer, the Multicultural Center Buddy System Mentoring Program, North Texas Student Council on Family Relations, a volunteer for UNT’s Center for Leadership and Service, sign language tutor for UNT’s Learning Center and UNT’s IELI (Intensive English Language Institute) serving as a conversation partner, which helps international students learn English as a second language, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

When asked what would she change about her college experience, Robinson said, “I wish I knew my freshman year that receiving a double major was possible. I totally would have dipped into the business field a bit more. Luckily a psychology degree is respected in this particular field, so working with it should be no problem.”

Jessica Simon graduated from Texas A&M Commerce with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. When asked what she plans to do, Simon said, “Teaching is my plan and right now. It’s just a plan. I’m searching, applying and praying.”

Jessica also said that the high school counselor is a good person to help with college efforts, “Mrs. Lawson was an amazing counselor and I hope that (the students) can get another good one in there to help the seniors like she did.”

Simon used a scholarship to fund her schooling, “I got a full ride to Navarro because of academics and college just so happened to be close to home.”

Jessica remembers a few of her teachers that made a lasting impact, “Johnny Jones (past softball coach)-his sense of humor and willingness to help in and out of the classroom. Great man. Mike Saucke (past softball coach)-an amazing coach that always expected the most out of his students. He loved our team, but he wanted us to succeed academically first. And Andi Windham-the way she reads to her English classes is hilarious. Anyone that has ever had her will never forget the voices she uses when she reads out of Huck Finn! She uses her sense of humor to draw her students into the lessons.”

Megann Lewis, graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, with a major in Environmental Science. “I will get my Masters in Environmental Management through its one year masters program, and I have an internship planned for this summer with a Meteorologist at an Abilene TV station. I am really excited to learn a lot there and see if that is a fit for me.” Lewis was Student of the Year at Vernon Junior College in her sophomore year and was American Southwest Conference “Pitcher of the Year” while a Hardin Simmons University Cowgirl.

Lewis commented on her first year of college, “When looking at the academic part of it (deciding upon a 2-year or 4-year college) I recommend a 4-year college. Transferring classes can be a big pain. From an athletic standpoint, a 2-year college was best for me because I was able to become a better athlete and thrive there. The dorm life was fun, especially when your whole team are your roommates pretty much. Renting a house was also cool for awhile, I just had to get it out of my system. I live in an apartment now where there is is a lot less to keep up with, so I prefer apartment living.”

Lewis remembered Mrs. Owen-5th grade Math, "We learned a lot in that class but she was still fun. In high school there were many teachers that made an impact. Mrs. Holden, Mrs. Moreland, Mrs. Killough, Mr. Morehead (Dual credit English), Mrs. Richards and of course, Mrs. Bridge.

Sarah DeMoss graduated from Angelo State University with a Kinesiology degree and minored in Psychology. She went to school with an athletic scholarship in softball for all four years. Using FAFSA and some student loans to finance her endeavors, Sarah worked hard daily to keep her competitiveness. “I went to Texarkana Junior College for my freshman year and lived in the dorm. I then transferred to Vernon College and lived in a dorm and finally went to Angelo State to finish my degree and rented an apartment with some of my teammates. Even though is more expensive to live off campus, I felt it was worth every penny but you have to live in a dorm at least one semester just to experience it. I plan to go to grad school and work with kids involved in CPS. They really need help going from one environment to the next and I would like to help in that area,” DeMoss said.

These graduates were excited to give the graduating seniors a little advice.

“Be smart about your social life in college, you can have fun without being a total idiot,” DeMoss revealed. She learned having a coach constantly in touch with your daily routine helped balanced things out for a freshman out on her own. Sarah remembered Mrs. Bridge and Mrs. Killough as teachers that affected her future. “I also want to mention my coaches. They helped mold me into a great athlete and I will always be grateful.”

Megann suggests, “Apply for as many scholarships as possible, including the impossible ones.” Lewis used academic scholarships as well as athletic scholarships to pay for her education, “The academic scholarships helped out a lot. Filling out the applications was very stressful but I am extremely happy I did it.”

A few words for the college bound seniors Lewis said, “Find a school that is a fit for you and get out of here for awhile but don’t forget where you came from. Don’t be afraid to change your major early on, new dreams can be just as big as old ones. Have lots of fun but stay out of trouble…that’s the hardest part! And for the underclassmen: Take care of business and keep your nose clean. College is a blast, make sure you get there.”

Courtnei recommends to have a support group when you are going to college, “I’ve learned that by simply having someone who genuinely believes in you and who has the ultimate faith that you will succeed is someone to keep around. My family, friends and church family have been that constant support for me. By them simply believing in me and constantly encouraging me to do my best and take pride in being the best, has really helped me. Sure, I would get emotionally and physically exhausted at times; but with God, my natural determination and the emotional support from loved ones has kept me going…and now, after four years of perseverance, I can say that I’ve made it.!”

Jessica said, “It doesn’t matter where you go as long as you are prayerful about it. College isn’t for everybody and that’s fine, just do SOMETHING! You wanna fix cars? Do it! You wanna work your way up in a company? Do it! But pick a course and stick to it.”

It’s awesome to watch these “kids” grow up right in front of us and now THEY are our future. Wonderful possibilities are waiting and we are all very lucky to have these graduates from Italy as examples. They are where they are now because of their past.

With just a few sentences of wisdom to pass on, our current high school graduates might glean a little information they could use for the upcoming future. Just know, the college graduates of today are still looking out for the high school graduates.

Hey, everyone, the future is coming and it looks very bright.